I saw an article on a blog the other day titled, “If You’re A COVID Denier Who Dies Of COVID, I Don’t Feel Sorry For You.” The article pretty much fits the title, the writer just has no energy left for empathy or compassion for the anti-mask/anti-vax crowd. While many of the 200 comments on this blogs were like “yep, I am over it” … two comments stood out to me:
“I’m an ICU nurse who is vaccinated and I still feel sorry for any needless deaths. Life is fleeting for even those who live to die in their old age of natural causes and I’m not going to let anyone’s ignorance rob me of my own humanity.” This comment was followed quickly by another reply saying, “This. I am a nurse who manages a Covid clinic. I still have empathy. It’s one thing I will not let this pandemic take.”
I thank God for these two ICU nurses, not only for their tireless work but for their clinging onto an important piece of our humanity: empathy and compassion.
Tying to embrace compassion has been a spiritual practice of mine since about midsummer. I wake up every day and remind myself I want to choose compassion. I don’t always get it right, anger slips in quite a bit, but I center myself by saying aloud, “I want to feel compassion and I want to be compassionate to others.” While I think Jesus would be running a vaccination clinic (we know that boy loved to heal folks), I also think based on the Gospels he’d be compassionate, walking alongside people, particularly by their hospital beds.
Everything is messed up right now. Why are people making the choices they make? Why is information confusing and dangerous? Why isn’t the vaccination rate at 100% and masks as common as underwear? I have NO CLUE. I can’t solve the social crisis of the pandemic. But I can keep waking up every day and rejecting the sentiments of the article title above and keep trying on compassion. The pandemic has taken a lot from me and my family. But like the ICU nurse says above, I will not let the pandemic take this from me. I want this part of my humanity, I want to feel empathy and compassion even when it’s really hard.
-Written by Brittany Porch
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Sooo hard and sooo needed. Thank you for this message, Brittany! I love the mantra: ¨I want to feel compassion and I want to be compassionate to others.!
Sometimes saying what we want to be aloud like really open our mouths and say it does help shape the day. It is hard these days though, but as you said needed. You certainly inspire me to be better all the time!
“we know that boy loved to heal folks” – LOL, made my morning!
Always here for a good morning laugh haha
Amen
Just have to wake up every day and try again. Amen and Amen.
In no other aspect of self induced health issues do we refuse to care for the afflicted, for example smoking induced lung cancer, brain damaged motor cycle rider. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for health care workers right now, but to act on the anger and blame the ill for their illness would say more about our deficiencies than theirs.
Jane, thank you for this. I appreciate this coming from you who knows.
Very well said. Make that VERY WELL SAID!
Thanks Bock :)
I rarely read a COVID-related post and smile. Thanks for the encouragement today, Brittany.
this might be the highest compliment, thanks Sam!
I am wrestling with this. I am also working on compassion. I grieve for the misguided. I rejoiced yesterday when an acquaintance told me her doctor talked her into getting the vaccine after getting COVID. Yet I can not judge nurses who are done with the COVID situation. They are living a nightmare daily by not being able to care for patients who have other issues. The energy expended due to the onslaught of unvaccinated patients is mentally and physically exhausting. The nurses are being required to expose themselves and their families to unnecessary risk daily by being exposed to a disease that could have been slowed. Part of me gives those (friends and family members who are nurses) on the front line the grace to express their frustration .. hopefully their inner light will shine brightly again once this pandemic subsides.
Nurses get 0 judgement right now (or ever)!! They are the heroes and can feel all the feels … and so many are still compassionate. They are teaching me always. Thanks for the comment.
Amen to all – the big and the comments- in the hospital with masked overworked nurses and docs yesterday- marveling at their patience! Fortitude and compassion
What a privilege to be among them and marvel at them. Nurses and docs are some of my favorite heroes!
Thanks, Brittany, for your thoughtful piece. I surely do like the image of Jesus running a vaccination clinic, and in another piece I read that has Jesus wearing a mask and walking with people. And I’m working on compassion and trying to understand why vaccinations and masks are so hard for some, including some in my extended family. I miss Broad Street, and am glad to still be in touch, even remotely! Blessings to all, Judy
It is so lovely to see you here, still with us in our Broad Street virtual community. Thanks for being with us in ministry still, even on the west coast!
Thanks, Brittany. I have on occasion been close to saying that statement about “deserving it”. But something stops me and curbs my feelings, knowing it’s not what I hope for, not really. Maybe it is compassion. I hope so! I think I’ll practice your prayer each morning as well. Thanks again.
It’s not easy, but I am trying to say it out loud in hopes to remind myself and center myself on my deepest values.
Thank you Brittany, This covers the struggle and and the hope….I love that word Healing, There is so much to HEAL here.
We may all work towards healing together. Amen.
As I sit in my room at Mount Carmel after a successful surgery, I rejoice in the good care I’ve received. All patients and care receivers are rapid tested every day before entering the hospital to ensure our safety. If anything can be said about covid it had made us all aware of the importance of using good hygiene and social consciousness of health. I will be practicing your mantra Britany. Thanks for the reminder.